Learning & Information

Rolling Papers – Is there a difference?

January 28, 2021
0 Comment

Rolling Papers

Is there a difference?

Joints have long been a favourite method of cannabis consumption and it’s easy to understand why. Joints are easily shareable, ready to travel, and compact. But before you can smoke a joint, one has to roll it, and every joint begins with a rolling paper.

First manufactured in Spain in the 1700’s, rolling papers have come a long way since then. Upgrades in materials, manufacturing processes, watermarks and presentation have elevated the humble rolling paper to luxurious levels (Shine’s 24 K Gold Leaf Papers anyone?).

Because of this, not all rolling papers are created equal, nor provide the same experience.

Length

Industry sizes for rolling papers are Single Width, 1 1/2, 1 1/4, King size, and King Size Slim. There are other sizes available, such as the Double Wide or 12 Inchers, but those are less popular and much harder to find.

Single Width (SW) – These are your smallest papers, and the size that most people are familiar with if they grew up buying the white Zig-Zags at your local gas station. The single wide rolling paper is 70mm long and 34mm wide (give or take a millimeter depending on the brand). These are perfect when smoking for one.

70mm x 34mm (requires a 70mm long rolling machine, or 79mm adjustable)

1 ½ – These papers got its name because it can hold 50% more than a single wide paper, measuring 78mm in length and 62mm in width. This paper allows for much wider (or ‘fatter’) joints in diameter. If you prefer hauling back for longer hits, this size should do the trick. Good for groups of 3 to 4 people when rolled correc

79mm x 62mm (requires a 79mm long rolling machine, or 110mm adjustable)

1 ¼ – You guessed it, the one and a quarter sized papers holds 25% more than the single width. Measuring in at 78mm long and 46mm in width, it is the same length as the 1 ½ paper. The 1 ¼ size is considered the most popular among joint smokers. Once rolled, this size closely resembles the size of your standard cigarette and is perfect for a solo sesh at home with Netflix, or groups of 2-4.

79mm x 46mm (requires a 79mm long rolling machine, or adjustable)

King Size & King Size Slim – The King Size paper is the most standard for size across all brands, measuring 110mm in length. The width will vary from 42mm for the slims and up to 60mm for the regular. Since it’s the longest paper, it’s also the largest (except for novelty sizes) and the best paper for group sessions.

110mm (requires a 110mm long rolling machine)

Materials

Now that you’ve chosen what size you need, you have to decide what kind of material you prefer. Have you ever noticed that some papers are easier to roll with than others? Or that sometimes, your joint stays lit longer than other times? Are you continuously relighting the joint?

Wood Pulp – The original. The classic. The OG.

Wood pulp papers have been around for as long as there have been rolling papers. Thicker than their rice or hemp counterparts, making them the easiest to roll with. These papers are great for beginners just learning to roll.

The cons? Wood pulp papers burn faster than others, can affect the taste of your joint, and are the least environmentally friendly to be manufactured.

Rice – For the Masters.

As the name would imply, these rolling papers are processed from rice and the occasional additive depending on the brand, such as hemp or flax. These papers burn the slowest, which means they have a harder time staying lit.

Rice papers are the thinnest rolling paper available. They are so thin they’re almost see-through, and because of this, harder to roll with. However, they are the cleanest to smoke if you’re looking to get the most flavour out of your cannabis.

Hemp – Something for everyone.

Hemp papers are becoming more and more popular, and for good reason. They are relatively easy to roll with, but still thin enough to avoid any harsh flavors in your joint, and better for the environment. Basically, they fit right in between the wood pulp and the rice papers in every category.

Our Favourite Rolling Papers

Over the years, we’ve tried almost all the rolling papers out there. Each come with their own pros and cons, but we’ve managed to narrow down our favourites listed below:

Irie Rolling Papers – For the budget conscious.

Irie rolling papers are fairly unremarkable, which is a good thing when looking for a budget friendly smoking paper. A box of Irie’s can be found for under $40, and they’re quite generous offering a whopping 64 leaves per pack.

Made from European hemp (but made in China), these papers burn slowly and the glue sticks well provided it’s not too wet when rolled. Made thicker than your usual hemp paper, they provide a certain texture that’s easier to roll. Especially considering the lack of watermarks.

All in all, Irie Rolling Papers are the best bang for your buck.

Juicy Jay Rolling Papers – It’s all about the flavour.

If you’re into spicing up your cannabis, then Juicy Jay’s are by far the go-to for flavoured papers. The hits are smooth, and the flavour is surprisingly mild. In fact, most of the flavour is enjoyed when licking your lips as a residual bonus. The best part is that they also smell good, which really enhances that smoke experience.

The burn isn’t perfect though, and tends to canoe if the glue is too wet, but at least it won’t unravel. The papers themselves are usually printed with whatever flavour icon you chose, and look absolutely adorable. The honeycomb watermark provides a decent burn, and the papers are easy enough to roll with.

Available in pretty much every flavour imaginable.

RAW Organic Hemp Rolling Papers – Best in hemp.

RAW papers are no doubt the current King of rolling papers, producing some of the best quality papers available. In addition to offering top-notch products, RAW also has a foundation that helps support worthwhile causes and projects, helping millions. It’s no wonder RAW has developed such a cult-like following among cannabis lovers worldwide.

Our personal favourite RAW papers is the organic hemp line. These rolling papers are additive free, allowing you to really taste the flower. Complete with RAW’s patented crisscross watermark to ensure an even burn and prevent annoying runs. A little tough to roll with, but the struggle is worth it. RAW Organic Hemp Rolling Papers provide an incredibly smooth smoke with a slow burn so you can sit back and enjoy!

Elements Rolling Papers – Rice is nice.

Elements, as its name implies, is obsessed with earth-friendly materials and green energy in making its papers. It’s not all talk either, even their papers production facility in Spain is entirely wind-powered. Made with sugar gum for its adhesive and rice for the paper itself, these papers are so thin they’re almost translucent. While you’re smoking, the paper produces no flavour and very little ash, which means you can really taste the flower. It’s just a super clean and smooth smoke.

Apart from the paper itself, Elements throws in a few extras outside of that as well. Each pack comes with a magnet, so you don’t have to worry about ruining the next paper in line. They also come with perforated crutches for rolling and “perfect roll technology”, because if we’re being honest, rolling with rice papers can sometimes be tricky. Not for beginners, but worth the effort.

Pure Hemp Unbleached Rolling Papers – Staff pick.

There is no extra fluff with Pure Hemp Unbleached Rolling Papers. No gimmicks or flashy branding. Just a paper that rolls easy, tastes great, and burns smooth.

Like the name states, Pure Hemp is made of 100% natural, unbleached and chlorine free hemp fiber. A little thicker feeling than other hemp papers, so it has a nice grip to it and feels safer to pack a little extra without being more difficult to roll. Finally, the gum is generous making the stick solid. These papers pretty much guarantee a perfect spliff every time, regardless of the consistency of your flower.

Why do we love them so much?

They’re easy to roll, no matter what. Sometimes it’s tricky if your hands are wet, or the flower is too dry, but not with these. They roll anything, and stick really well providing the glue isn’t licked clean off.

(Pro tip: less moisture on sugar-based gum is best)

All About the Taste & No Waste

They also taste like nothing, which is perfect when you really want to taste that top shelf cannabis.

Finally, Pure Hemp Unbleached Rolling Papers burns slowly, consistently, and smoothly. Smoking a joint rolled with Pure Hemp is an all-around enjoyable experience.

Read More

History of Rolling Paper Sizes & Hand-Rolled Cigarettes

January 20, 2021
0 Comment

Rolling Paper Sizes

A HISTORY

Where it All Began

Experts believe the tobacco plant, as we know it today, began growing in the Americas at about 6000 BC. It is believed that Native Americans began using tobacco in various ways (including smoking) a few thousand years later. As time went on, tobacco and tobacco usage became very common in the Americas. There is a drawing of smoking by the ancient Mayas from about 1400 years ago. In it, a Mayan is shown smoking a roll of tobacco leaves with a string.

DISCOVERED BY EUROPEANS

COLUMBUS

Tobacco was first discovered by Europeans via Christopher Columbus. Columbus received dried tobacco leaves as gifts when he landed in what is now the Caribbean. Two of his crew are credited with first observing smoking when they were exploring what is now Cuba. The natives taught them how to smoke, and one of the crew, Rodrigo de Jerez, took the habit home to Europe. In fact, his neighbors were so frightened by seeing smoke coming out of his nose and mouth that they notified the local Inquisition. Jerez was jailed for 7 years. By the time Jerez was finally released, smoking had become all the rage in Spain.

BLUNTED ENDS

Smoking at that time was done via loosely rolled, open-ended cigar type products with multiple wrappers or binders held together by licking the ends of the leaves. As cigar smoke progressed, many improvements came to Cigars. For example, one “new” style of cigar rolling formed a rounded smooth tip. This “Blut” end caused this new style to be called a Blunt. Today, most cigars, even Coronas and Robustos, have the same rounded end, but the original term Blunt still applies.

INHALATION BEGINS

The birth of the modern, rolled cigarette happened in 1614 in Seville, Spain. King Philip III required all tobacco grown in the Spanish New World to be shipped to a central location in Seville to control pricing and prevent oversupply. Because of this, Seville became the new world center for the production of cigars. Street beggars would pick up the remainders of used cigars, take them apart and re-roll them in newspaper. Because of the scarcity of tobacco and their desire to enjoy every drop, the street beggars began holding the smoke in their lungs (inhaling). This took hold and made its way through the working class until the practice became common. Thus the modern, hand-rolled cigarette was born.

THE DAWN OF THE
CIGARETTE PAPER

LET IT BURN

Of course burning newspaper had its own problems, especially with the then lead-based inks. Spanish merchants began offering plain, unprinted paper for this purpose. One small factory in the Alcoy region that was making specialized packing papers offered the first paper designed specifically for cigarette rolling. This paper was later improved and an additional factory in Alcoy opened to compete. Over time, more cigarette paper factories opened near Barcelona, then France, then the UK, and eventually there were many paper factories across Europe.

In the Alcoy region there is still one rolling paper factory left, which can actually trace its roots back to the first rolling paper factory. This Alcoy factory produces many of popular papers to date. Brands suchs as RAW, Elements, Juicy Jay’s & DLX are made using processes that date back to the origin of this factory. Some of the craftsmen at this factory have been making papers for generations!

VARIOUS SIZES

In Spain, the size that was developed based on consumer preference was approximately 78mm long by 44mm high. At first, this was the size that dominated the entire European market. However, King James I, and later his successors, enacted heavy tobacco taxes. This led the British market to move to a smaller size that held about 25% less tobacco. This new small size was about 70mm long by 38mm high. As the British Empire grew, so did the proliferation of this smaller British sized rolling paper. In fact, to this date, in most of the commonwealth countries the number one size is the small 70mm paper (single width).

This paper became known as “Standard Size”, or “Single Wide.” The original Spanish 78mm paper became known as “Spanish Size”, except the British referred to it as One and a Quarter, in reference to how it holds about 25% more tobacco then a British Standard Sized paper.

THE KING IS BORN

THE KING IS BORN

Flash-forward about 100 years and the industrial revolution allowed the mass production of machine-made cigarettes. At first, most cigarettes were either 70mm or 78mm long without a filter. However in the 1950’s, filtered cigarettes began to take over. Consumers were concerned that by purchasing a filtered cigarette they were getting less tobacco as the filter took up some of the space in the paper. Thus, large tobacco companies responded to this by increasing the length of cigarettes to accommodate the filter. Cigarette size increased from 70mm or 78mm to a new 84mm size.

This new size became known became known as “King Size,” named after the King of England who was seen publicly smoking this new cigarette. Over the next several decades the shorter cigarettes saw their market share shrink dramatically until they were all but replaced by the new 84mm “King Size.” However, rolling paper factories missed the opportunity to change their sizes to suit this new consumer preference and continued producing the legacy sizes of generations past. It wasn’t until 2009 when HBI finally produced the world’s first 84mm cigarette rolling papers with their launch of DLX brand 84’s as they are called. While it may appear that rolling paper companies are dramatically behind the times, this is common among rolling paper factories as most companies prefer not to change with the times.

However, this sort of dinosaur attitude has recently been changing as new and improved forms of cigarette papers have been launched in recent years. Among them are natural unbleached and unrefined papers (e.g. RAW), ultra thin rice papers (e.g. Elements), and extra slow burning papers (e.g. DLX). The next oldest significant rolling paper innovation was the invention of interleaved rolling papers which was launched 116 years ago at the 1900 world’s fair, and led to the formation of the Zig Zag brand. Zig Zag means how the papers are interleaved in a zig-zag format.

COMMONWEALTH COUNTRIES

56 independent countries make up the Commonwealth in Africa, Asia, the Americas, Europe and the Pacific.

CONFUSED?

In Commonwealth countries the #1 selling size is still the 70mm standard size papers. However in the rest of the world, including the USA, Spanish Size (1 1/4 ) is by far the better seller. Overall, there has been a market trend towards this original 1 1/4 size and sales data has shown that it is increasing in popularity, especially in the UK and Canada. Now that there is finally an 84mm rolling paper available, sales of that size are increasing steadily and will likely become one of the most popular sizes, mirroring the extreme popularity of 84mm King Size cigarettes.

Now it’s time to address so-called “King Size rolling papers,” which are actually misnamed. These date back to 1984 when Rizla launched its 100mm rolling papers catered towards women who preferred the 100mm cigarette size. People first referred to this as “Queen Size.” Another firm tried to outdo Rizla and launched a 110mm paper, and named it “King Size.” However this is a misnomer. King Size cigarettes are all 84mm long. A 110mm paper is actually a longer “Queen Size” and is much longer than the preferred 84mm standard King Size.

The aforementioned “King Size” rolling papers were typically 110mm long and 52mm high. However, the newer format of this “King Size” is 110mm long and 44mm high (sometimes called King Size, sometimes called King Size Slim). This has become one of the most popular sizes in Europe and is growing while the older King Size is decreasing. The difference is the 8mm in paper height. The 44mm height is the original “Spanish Sized” or 1 ¼ sized height and seems to be the preferred height by most smokers for all rolling papers (regardless of length).

BOOKLET

The origins of the cigarette rolling paper booklet can be traced back to a priest, Father Jaime Villanueva Estingo (Jativa, Alcoy region of Spain, 1765). Before Father Villanueva’s invention, tobacco smokers laboriously and wastefully cut sections of large sheets of paper to roll their cigarettes. He devised a more convenient method of peeling small sheets from pocket-size booklet dispensers and taught this idea in Alcoy, where the first rolling paper booklets ever were produced. People still pay homage to Father Villanueva in Alcoy to this very day.

PAPER COMPANIES

There are 3 huge, multinational rolling paper companies. One of the largest is Republic/Bollore in France. They make:

– Job
– Top
– Zig Zag
– OCB
– Gambler
– Abadie

It’s key competitor is Imperial Tobacco UK. This large, multinational tobacco company owns:

– Rizla
– Joker
– EZ-Wider

Another very large outfit is Miquel Y Costas. With large factories in Argentina and Spain, they are the makers of:

– Smoking
– Bugler
– Pure Hemp
– Bambu

After these 3 big guys come a series of independent brands (RAW, Elements, DLX, Skunk, Chills, Zen, Juicy Jays, etc.). Although HBI didn’t create all of these brands, they have become the headquarters for most, if not all quality independent rolling paper brands, especially the cutting edge ones. With tremendous increase in niche market sales, HBI has been able to achieve large growth and success. However, their sales are still only a tiny fraction of the big guys.

CHINA

While China did invent paper, it did not invent the cigarette paper, and for good reason. The Chinese Emporor Chongzhen banned tobacco and ordered that anyone who smoked it should be beheaded. Tobacco was completely forbidden in China for hundreds of years and thus no cigarette paper was ever developed there. It is only quite recently that China has begun producing any cigarette rolling paper. Much of the cheaper rolling papers now coming out of China are actually shoe paper (the crinkly paper that you find stuffed into the toe of a new pair of shoes) being marketed as rolling paper. While the two look similar, shoe paper burns fast and tears easily. The Europeans have a long head start over the Chinese when it comes to cigarette rolling papers and have mastered their craft over many generations and hundreds of years.

By HBI Canada Inc.

Read More

How to Measure and Buy the Right Downstem

December 8, 2020
0 Comment

Character Co. Blog

How to Measure and Buy the Right Downstem

Know what to look for, and buy right

 

 

Downstems are an essential part of any bong or water pipe.  They function by transporting the smoke from the bowl or slide into the water chamber for a cooler and smoother hit.  Just like the bongs and water pipes they accompany, downstems come in a large variety of sizes, and styles.

 

Length: The lengths of downstems are measured from the top of the ground joint, all the way to the bottom. If the diffuser is a High Profile downstem, there will be an entire other section on top of the ground joint that doesn’t get included in the measurement. 

Ground joint: The ground joint is the sandblasted part of the glass attachment that fits snug with whatever piece it’s being connected to. Downstems have them. Bowls have them. Ash catchers will have them. Any glass on glass kind of piece will have a ground joint section that’s either male or female. See our post here.

Downstems Canada Character Co.

Diffuser:  A downstem on its own is already a diffuser by design. It’s literal existence is to carry the smoke into the water for filtration before being inhaled. However, it is almost industry standards these days to include some sort of extra filtration feature on a downstem, rather than simply keep the “straw” style that has only one hole at the bottom for the smoke to exit. As shown below, most downstems will have slits in the glass (the amount will vary) for extra diffusion.

Buying a new downstem

When buying a new downstem for your favourite piece, the most important thing to know is size, which can actually be pretty confusing if it is your first time buying a replacement.  When it comes to downstems, we can assume the ground joint is female, but there are 3 more measurements that you’ll need:

Length of the downstem

Size of the bongs ground joint

Bowl size

 

Know Your Length

If you don’t have your current downstem available to measure the length, you can use a pencil or any long object that fits inside the bong/water pipe to measure the inner chamber of your bong. Remember not to go all the way to the bottom, there should always be at least a centimeter of space between the bottom of the downstem and the bottom of the bong.

Pencil Method

Insert the pencil into the inner chamber of the bong through the joint opening until the tip is roughly 2 cm or 0.5 inches from the glass on the other side.  Mark the pencil and then measure from the mark to the tip.  That will be your down-stem length.

Downstems Canada Character Co.

The Ground Joint

Measure the inside diameter of your bongs ground joint. It will be either 10mm, 14mm, or close to 19mm.  If you don’t have measuring tape nearby, you can use a dime.  If the dime fits through the hole, it is 19mm.  If it does not, it’s a 14mm or 10mm.  Chances are, it’ll be a 14mm as bongs with a 10mm ground joint are rare, and considered mini water-pipes.  

It is important to be sure of the correct size when ordering a new downstem:  wider joints obviously won’t fit, and narrower joints won’t create the air-tight seal you need for optimal performance.

Downstems Canada Character Co.

Bowl to Downstem Size

Downstems have one joint for the bowl and another to connect to the bong.  We already mentioned how to make sure the downstem will fit the bong, but how can you be sure the bowl will fit the downstem? This is the trickiest part, as the way of writing these measurements will vary from store to store.

 

Some of the more popular sizes are seen here:

14mm to 14mm (14/14) or (14>14)

18mm to 18mm (18/18) or (18>18)

14mm to 18mm (14/18) or (14>18)

18mm to 14mm (18/14) or (18>14)

 

The first number represents the size of the joint in your bong. The second number represents the size of the bowl. For example, if you see a description such as 14/18 or 14>18, this means your bong has a 14mm ground joint, and the downstem you’re looking at will hold an 18mm sized bowl.  Now you can fit a bigger bowl into that bong!

If the description was 18/14 or 18>14, your bong has a 18mm joint and the downstem will hold a 14mm bowl.

Two popular styles of downstems are the “Flush Mount” and “High Profile”.

Flush Mount Downstems

Have an opening that does not stick out much from the opening of the joint.  The length of Flush Mount Downstems are only a little longer than the length needed in the inner chamber of the bong.

High Profile Downstems

Stick out from the opening of the bong, and can sometimes add up to between 0.5 – 1.5″ inches to the length of the bong.

 

downstems

Now that you’re ready to purchase a replacement downstem diffuser for your bong. Check our accessories section in glassware for a downstem here. 

If there was anything we missed, please send us a note to info@characterco.ca, or find us on Facebook and shoot us a message. We would be more than happy to answer any questions.

 

Read More

UPDATED… | The Big Bong Theory

July 22, 2020
0 Comment

The Big Bong Theory

The Mistaken Origins of Smoked Cannabis

Western historians of both the academic and popular persuasions have continued to mistakenly credit the peoples of the Levant region in the eastern Mediterranean (modern Turkey, Syria, Lebanon, Jordan, Israel, and western Iraq) with the invention of the waterpipe or bong, largely through repetition of poorly supported conclusions. Most European travelers of the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries were first exposed to smoked cannabis in the Levant region.

They wrote about and sketched images of communal hashish smoking for curious Europeans back home and admired the exotic and elaborate elegance of Levantine smoking technologies. Contemporaneous travelers or colonial officials in Africa who observed cannabis being smoked in waterpipes assumed that the technology had spread south to Africa via traders from the more “civilized” Levant region, an assumption that was continuously repeated by later generations of historians despite there being no evidence for it.

In fact, cannabis has only existed in the Levant as a smoked drug for about five hundred years. Cannabis did not originate in Africa, but firm evidence indicates that Africans were the first in history to smoke it.

The Oldest Pipe Ever Excavated

Archaeological evidence tells us that smoking was independently invented by both indigenous Africans and First Nations peoples of North America at different (and somewhat indeterminate) times, although archaeologists have uncovered only dry pipes in the North American record while the African record has yielded evidence of both dry pipes and waterpipes. The oldest pipe ever excavated in North America dates to 7000 BCE and the oldest yet excavated in Africa dates to 600 BCE. These dates, however, can only provide tentative start dates for the practice of smoking on either continent.

A major problem with dating the origin of smoking is that most pipes were made of biodegradable materials and therefore would rarely survive long in the archaeological record. Ancient Africans constructed pipe containers from coconut or calabash husks, animal horn, bone, wood, stone, but likely most commonly, from earth. Pipe stems might be fashioned from bamboo or banana petioles. Changes in African pipe design beginning after 1000 CE could indicate the first arrival of cannabis in Africa. Discoveries made in East Africa show that the size of pipe bowls increased significantly after this time.

This could indicate greater availability of a smokable substance, or a more benign one of which greater portions could be safely consumed. Tobacco is not native to Africa and it is unclear which indigenous herbs were most commonly smoked before the introduction of cannabis, but one of the main candidates is an herb called datura, which produces similar effects to cannabis, but is far more toxic with more frequently fatal consequences for overdose.

Oldest Residue Found

It is difficult to firmly date its first use as a smoked drug in Africa because like all organic matter, cannabis deteriorates, but the oldest excavated evidence of smoked cannabis (residue inside a pipe bowl) comes from Ethiopia and dates to the early 1300s CE. The nearly twelve thousand-year history of human-cannabis relationships can be traced originally to central and southern Asia, but all evidence indicates that cannabis was traditionally ingested rather than smoked in Asia. For example, edible cannabis use in the Levant region predates the introduction of the hookah, making a strong case for the notion that cannabis was first introduced to the Levant by a non-smoking people.

Besides, the hookah was used in the Levant almost exclusively to smoke tobacco, a post-Columbian product, not cannabis. While the eastern Mediterranean and eastern Africa may have received cannabis at roughly contemporaneous times (about two thousand years ago) by two different plant dispersal routes from Asia, it would take several centuries for the African technology of smoking to make its way into Levantine and many other cultures who did not yet know the benefits of smoking versus ingesting cannabis.6 As a process for drug delivery, smoking is inarguably more efficient and precise than ingestion.

Without the advantages of modern pharmaceutical production, cannabis drug use by way of ingestion produces highly variable and unpredictable experiences for the user. It is difficult to estimate the right dosage and the user has to wait up to an hour to feel the effects. Smoking, on the other hand, delivers the drug directly to the bloodstream and effects are felt very quickly. Additionally, smoking allows the user to control their dosage much more efficiently.

The Origin of the Bong

The fact that most people do not automatically think of Africa when asked about the origin of the bong is the result of biases which have been built into both historical and popular discourses on cannabis. It may be convincingly argued that the world history of the last several centuries is the history of empire and colonialism. The historian is a product of his or her time, no matter how hard they might try to remain above the fray as an impartial caretaker of the past.

Eurocentric colonial-era historians helped to cultivate academic perspectives based on the racial hierarchies which characterized most aspects of colonial society. From a historical perspective, this meant that Europeans could never conceive of giving credit to Africans for inventing a superior technology. In fact, historians would often make efforts to fit contradictory evidence into their existing narratives. They theorized that ancient pipes found in Africa must be evidence of earlier exposure to Levantine traders or colonial activity, even though there is no evidence of such.

U.S. Patent for a Bong

Patented August 12, 1980

The lack of credit for the important role Africa has played in cannabis histories is even more evident when one examines the 1980 U.S. patent registration for the “bong.” The claimants of the patent acknowledged the models of previous technologies such as “the Oriental bong,” made from bamboo, that U.S. troops were exposed to in Vietnam. They also recognized the hookah or narguilé as a contributing technology. There is, however, no mention at all of African technologies. How then, one might ask, did these claimants justify the application for a patent on an already existing invention?

The 1980 patent for the bong featured a second pipe stem without a bowl which, it was claimed, would help the smoke clear more effectively, or could help the user dilute their dosage by drawing in additional air if needed. However, nineteenth-century (and perhaps earlier) Angolan water pipe designs fulfill these functions more efficiently and precisely than the patented model. The calabash-based Angolan water pipe design featured a “carb hole” above the stem which many bong models also feature today (see figure 1.1). This hole allows for greater control over smoke flow simply by placing or removing one’s finger. The patented model (see figure 1.2) needlessly complicates the bong’s construction by requiring two watertight entries into the bowl, and thus also diminishes control over air and smoke flow.

Angolan Water Pipe Design

Featuring a “carb hole” above the stem.

The lack of credit for the important role Africa has played in cannabis histories is even more evident when one examines the 1980 U.S. patent registration for the “bong.” The claimants of the patent acknowledged the models of previous technologies such as “the Oriental bong,” made from bamboo, that U.S. troops were exposed to in Vietnam. They also recognized the hookah or narguilé as a contributing technology. There is, however, no mention at all of African technologies. How then, one might ask, did these claimants justify the application for a patent on an already existing invention?

The 1980 patent for the bong featured a second pipe stem without a bowl which, it was claimed, would help the smoke clear more effectively, or could help the user dilute their dosage by drawing in additional air if needed. However, nineteenth-century (and perhaps earlier) Angolan water pipe designs fulfill these functions more efficiently and precisely than the patented model. The calabash-based Angolan water pipe design featured a “carb hole” above the stem which many bong models also feature today (see figure 1.1). This hole allows for greater control over smoke flow simply by placing or removing one’s finger. The patented model (see figure 1.2) needlessly complicates the bong’s construction by requiring two watertight entries into the bowl, and thus also diminishes control over air and smoke flow.

Bibliography

Chris Duvall, The African Roots of Marijuana (Durham: Duke University Press, 2019), 16-19.

Ibid., 67.

William A. Turnbaugh, “Native North American Smoking Pipes,” Archaeology 33, No. 1 (January/February 1980), 15.

Duvall, 58.

Ibid., 58-59

Ibid., 16, 53, 64, 80.

Ibid., 67.

Dias de Carvalho, H.A. “Mutopa” engraving. In Expedição portugueza ao Muatiânvua: Ethnographia e historia tradicional dos povos da Lunda. Lisbon: Imprensa Nacional, 1890 (293). Biblioteca Nacional de Portugal, Lisbon.

Duvall, Chris. The African Roots of Marijuana. Durham: Duke University Press, 2019.

Erickson, W.V., P.K. Jarvie, and F.L. Miller. “Waterpipe or Bong.” U.S Patent 4,216,785, issued 12 August 1980, assignee: F.L. Miller.

Turnbaugh, William A. “Native North American Smoking Pipes.” Archaeology 33, No. 1 (January/February 1980), 15-22.

Read More

7 Health Benefits of CBD

February 11, 2020
1 Comment

7 HEALTH BENEFITS OF CBD

Things you may not have known, that are good to know.

 

 

 

Cannabidiol (CBD), is a chemical compound found in the cannabis plant. It’s a naturally occurring substance that can be isolated to make products such as CBD oils and edibles. Unlike it’s cousin cannabinoid THC, which is the psychoactive ingredient in cannabis, CBD does not produce a “high” feeling.

So what does CBD do? Here’s what you need to know about 7 potential medical uses of CBD and where the research stands:

 

 

1. Anxiety Relief

Research on CBD is still in its infancy, but there is mounting evidence to suggest it can be an effective method of anxiety relief. How exactly? Well, researchers think it may change the way our brain’s receptors respond to serotonin, a chemical closely linked to mental health. Receptors are tiny proteins attached to your individual cells that enable the cell to receive chemical messages and help respond appropriately to different stimuli.

One study found that a 600mg dose of CBD helped people with social anxiety give a speech, while others have shown reduced symptoms of social anxiety in people with social anxiety disorder.  Other earlier studies done with animals have shown that CBD may help relieve anxiety by:

 

Reducing stress

Decreasing physiological effects of anxiety, such as an increased heart rate

Improving symptons of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) 

Inducing sleep in cases of insomnia

 

 

 

 

2. Anti-seizure

CBD has been in the news for some time now, especially as a possible treatment for epilepsy. The American Epilepsy Society states that cannabidiol research offers hope for seizure disorders, and that research is currently being conducted to better understand safe use.

The UNC School of Medicine researchers show it may alleviate seizures and normalize brain rhythms in Angelman syndrome, a rare neurodevelopmental condition.

 

 

 

 

health benefits of cbd

3. Neuroprotective

Researchers are looking at a receptor located in the brain to learn about the ways that CBD could help people with neurodegenerative disorders, which are diseases that cause the brain and nerves to deteriorate over time. This receptor is known as CB1.  Researchers are studying the use of CBD oil for treating:

 

Alzheimer’s disease

Multiple Sclerosis (MS)

Parkinson’s disease

Stroke

 

CBD oil may also reduce the inflammation that can make neurodegenerative symptoms worse. Of course, more research is needed to fully understand the effects of CBD as a treatment for neurodegenerative diseases.

 

 

 

 

 

health benefits of cbd

4. Anti-acne

The effects of CBD on receptors in the immune system may help reduce overall inflammation in the body. In turn, CBD oil may offer benefits for acne management. A human study published in the Journal of Clinical Investigation found that the oil prevented activity in sebaceous glands.

These glands are responsible for producing sebum, a natural oily substance that hydrates the skin. Too much sebum, however, can lead to acne.

 

 

 

 

health benefits of cbd

5. Pain Relief

The effects of CBD oil on your brain’s receptors may also help you manage pain. Studies have shown that cannabis can offer some benefits when taken after chemotherapy treatments. Other pre-clinical studies sponsored by the National Institutes of Health are also looking at the role of cannabis in relieving symptoms caused by:

 

Arthritis

Chronic pain

MS pain

Muscle pain

Spinal cord injuries

 

Nabiximols (Sativex), a multiple sclerosis drug made from a combination of TCH and CBD, is approved in the United Kingdom and Canada to treat MS pain. However, some researchers think the CBD in the drug may be contributing more with its anti-inflammatory properties than by acting against the pain. Clinical trials of CBD are necessary to determine whether or not it should be used for pain management.

 

 

 

 

health benefits of cbd

6. Cancer Treatment

The key word here is “treatment”, not to be confused with “cure”. Even using treatment in the same sentence as cancer might be a little premature, but there is evidence to suggest CBD may help manage symptoms of cancer.

 

Pain relief: Both cancer and its treatment can lead to pain. CBD indirectly acts on the CB2 receptors, which may help with widespread pain relief by reducing inflammation.

Tumor: researchers noted in a 2016 study that the use of cannabinoids seem to inhibit the growth of many different types of tumor cell in both test tubes and animal models.

 

 

 

 

7. Weight Regulation

 Boost metabolism and reduce food intake

 

Preliminary research suggests that CBD may reduce food intake and boost metabolism, which could promote weight loss.

Animal studies indicate that CBD affects weight by interacting with CB1 and CB2 receptors in lymphoid tissue and the brain. These receptors are thought to play important roles in metabolism and food intake.

While such results are promising, there are not enough human studies to support these findings, and more research is needed to be conclusive.

 

Browning of fat cells

 

Two types of fat exist in your body: White and Brown.

White fat is the predominant form, and it’s also the type of fat most associated with chronic illness when accumulated in excess. Brown fat, on the other hand, is responsible for generating heat by burning calories.

You can convert white fat to brown by exercising, getting adequate sleep, and exposing yourself to cold temperatures. Interestingly, research shows that CBD may aid this process. However, more human research is needed to confirm these effects.

Read more about CBD and weight management here.

 

 

 

 

8. CBD oil side effects

CBD oil does not pose any major risk for consumers. Unlike traditional medications for pain management, there are no apparent lethal doses of CBD. This is because the drug does not affect the central nervous system in the way that opiates do. However, some side effects are possible.  These could include:

 

Depression

Dizziness

Hallucinations

Low blood pressure

Withdrawal symptoms, such as irritability and insomnia

 

More human studies are needed to fully understand the range of risks and side effects that CBD oil may cause. Studies of CBD on its own aren’t common, as most studies are done on the cannabis plant as a whole and not on CBD isolated.

 

 

 

 

Summary

CBD may not help, but it will not hurt.

 

CBD oil does not pose any major risk for consumers. Unlike traditional medications for pain management, there are no apparent lethal doses of CBD. This is because the drug does not affect the central nervous system in the way that opiates do. However, some side effects are possible.  These could include:

 

Depression

Dizziness

Hallucinations

Low blood pressure

Withdrawal symptoms, such as irritability and insomnia

 

More human studies are needed to fully understand the range of risks and side effects that CBD oil may cause. Studies of CBD on its own aren’t common, as most studies are done on the cannabis plant as a whole and not on CBD isolated. However, the potential health benefits of CBD cannot be ignored.

 

 

 

Now you know, the things that are good to know.

 

 

 

Read More